WebtopsWeb Operating Systems

1
Webtops/Web Operating Systems

• Groups 37 38

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What is a Webtop?

• A webtop (also known as a web desktop) is a
  virtual desktop that runs in a simple internet
  browser.
• A webtop has a control of programs and files over
  any web browser through a virtual computer,
  without reliance of a network or remote desktop.

3
Webtop History

• The term webtop was first heard in 1993 by the
  Santa Cruz Operation. It was a web-based way to
  access their UNIX program.
• The two people who are credited as the inventors
  of webtops are Andy Bovingdon and Ronald Record.

4
History Continued

• Webtops were first called the Tarantella Webtop.
  This webtop allowed Java programs to display UNIX
  and Windows programs via a web browser.
• Webtops started by featuring basic E-mail, and
  address books.
• But they were criticized for not having
  important features such as word processing.

5
History Continued

• As of 2000, there were a minimal number of
  webtops such as FreeDesk.com, NuoMedia.com, and
  StarPortal.
• These webtops featured a group of programs
  similar to Microsoft Office, making webtops more
  attractive to consumers.
• It was predicted that webtops would be mainstream
  by 2002, but that is not the case.
• Today there are various webtops available on the
  internet such as www.goowy.com, that have instant
  messenger, E-mail, calendars, address books,
  games, file storage, and more.

6
Advantages to Webtops

• Being able to save work over the internet instead
  of desktop.
• Convenience of having personalization on every PC
  with internet access.
• Always use the latest software.
• Easy installation with minimal updates/patches.
• No need for software to distribute software over
  the network.
• Minimum hardware requirements .
• High security niveau (if using https).

7
Advantages Continued

• When popularized, will reduce the cost of
  conventional PCs because there is less required
  hardware.
• Easy to share files when collaborating with
  teams.
• Less downtime (one single system can be protected
  easier than twenty).

8
Disadvantages to Webtops

• Security because data is transferred over the
  internet(hackers,etc.).
• The use of https 256-bit encryption and access
  control lists, this can be easily safe-guarded.
• If someone managed to obtain your username and
  password, they would be able to access your web
  desktop.

9
Disadvantages Continued

• High-speed internet is necessary to use a web
  operating system.
• The whole code used for visualization, which
  include .js/.css files, and Flash player files,
  needs to be transferred to the local computer in
  order to view the webtop.
• With slower internet, this would take increased
  periods of time
• Consumer desire to switch due the need of this
  service.

10
Disadvantages Continued

• Integration of Webtops into current systems.
• The Webtop application windows have no
  integration with those of local applications.
• Achieving this is definitely possible, the way
  GTalk with built in Gmail achieves it.
• By default it runs in the same window but however
  it can be popped out and converted into a
  standard window.

11
Current Uses of Webtop Technology

• An example of a present-day application of
  WebTops is G.ho.st
• G.ho.st is an acronym for Global Hosted Operating
  SysTem
• This is an internet-based service that allows
  users to access a single desktop space from
  varying locations.
• It is not a true operating system because there
  is no need for OS.

12
Current Uses G.ho.st

• G.ho.st. uses Linux technology.
• Runs on any browser or PC
• Does not require any upgrades or patching on the
  user-side, they are completed open-source by
  developers.
• Still in its alpha build state, will move to the
  beta testing phase by the summer of 2008.
• Company started by Zvi Schreiber in Jerusalem.
• 10 of all profits go to promoting peace in the
  Middle East.

13
Current Uses G.ho.st

• Free online sandbox and server-side code.
• Integrated with third-party applications such as
  Meebo, Zoho, Google Docs
• Word processing, spreadsheet, calendar
  functionality included
• 3GB free Storage via. FTP access.
• Links to internet resources.
• Support for multiple languages.
• Desktop Widgets.
• A free mail/calendar/contacts program provided by
  Zimbra that can hold up to 3GB of data.

14
Current Uses G.ho.st

• How it compares to Microsofts Windows
• No cost.
• Targeted for people without a portable computer,
  people who cant afford a PC or internet and
  people not permitted to install their own files.
• Miniscule size.
• Can be accessed anywhere there is a browser or
  internet connection.

15
Example of G.ho.st

• http//video.google.com/videoplay?docid7712725045
  245993071qWebtoptotal42start20num10so0t
  ypesearchplindex5

16
Current Uses Continued

• YOUOS.com and EYEOS.info are popular Webtops.
• Google has been mentioned in working on creating
  a webtop application.
• MySpace and Facebook work as a social operating
  system.
• Uses opensourcing or free usage.
• As of now, applications are still limited because
  webtops are still an emerging technology

17
Future Uses of Webtops

• On October 1, 2007Adobe Systems announced an
  agreement to buy Virtual Ubiquity, a company that
  has created a web-based word processor built on
  Adobe's next generation software development
  platform.
• Adobe is developing software tools that allow
  web-based applications to run on the desktop as
  equal partners to traditional desktop software
  and take advantage of the full capabilities of
  the user's PCs.

18
Future Uses Continued

• Microsoft outlined its plans for Microsoft Office
  Live Workspace, a service that will combine
  Microsoft Office and web capabilities so that
  documents can be shared online.

19
Future Uses Microsoft Office Live

• Microsoft sees a world where customers rely on
  desktop software, such as Word, Excel,
  PowerPoint, and web-based services, like
  Microsoft's planned Office Live Workspace, as a
  supplement to traditional desktop software.
• "We believe that the future of technology at work
  will be a combination of local software on PCs,
  along with services," said Jeff Raikes, president
  of Microsoft's Business Division.
• "Think of it as a continuum, ranging from pure
  software to pure services approaches. Most
  customers will be somewhere in the middle."

20
Future Uses Continued

• Google introduced a technology called "Gears"
  that allows developers to create web applications
  that can also work offline.
• Mozilla Foundation -- the organization behind the
  Firefox browser (a major rival of Microsoft's
  Internet Explorer) -- said on October 25 that it
  was launching an initiative called "Prism.
• Prism allows web applications to run outside the
  browser and behave more like desktop software.

21
Future Uses Coninued

• "Over time, the current dominance of desktop-only
  applications, or even predominantly desktop-based
  apps, will decrease," predicts Wharton
  information and operations management professor.
• "But I don't expect desktop apps to completely
  disappear anytime soon. I see the future as a
  hybrid with basic apps on the desktop and several
  apps being downloaded over the web."
• Kendall Whitehouse, senior director of
  information technology at Wharton, says that the
  big question isn't whether a desktop/webtop
  hybrid is the future but rather it is a "virtual
  certainty."

22
Costs of Webtops

• Microsoft spent 240 million for a 1.6 stake in
  Facebook.
• Microsoft also paid 6 billion for aQuantive.
• Google is advertising, but offers this software
  for a fee.
• Google Docs, Google also provides a Premier
  Edition that offers more storage and support for
  50 a year per user.

23
Costs Continued

• Salesforce.com, relies primarily on
  subscription-based revenue.
• Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen addressed monetizing the
  company's AIR platform."The guaranteed way we are
  going to make money on AIR is the same way we
  make money today. We sell tools and applications
  solutions that leverage our file formats -- PDF
  and Flash -- and clients of the Adobe Reader and
  Flash Player.

24
Example Webtop
25
Sources

• Slides 2-5
• (http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_desktop)
• (http//www.pcworld.com/article/id,32022/article.h
  tml)
• (http//www.goowy.com/index.aspx)
• Slides 6-10
• (http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_desktop)

26
Sources

• Slides 11-16
• http//www.infoworld.com/article/07/05/06/moes-gho
  st_1.html
• http//www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage2cid
  1183980038329pagenameJPost2FJPArticle2FShowFu
  ll
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.ho.st
• http//www.businesshackers.com/2007/11/13/ghost-a-
  free-virtual-computer-that-runs-on-any-browser-as-
  a-pc/
• http//www.devx.com/Java/Article/31787

27
Sources

• Slides 17-23
• http//knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?art
  icleid1832